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PLoS One

Title:		Current status of a model system: the gene Gp-9 and its association with social organization in fire ants
Author(s):		Gotzek D; Ross KG;
Address:		"Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. GotzekD@si.edu"
Journal Title:		PLoS One
Year:		2009
Volume:		20091106
Issue:		11
Page Number:		e7713 -
DOI:		10.1371/journal.pone.0007713
ISSN/ISBN:		1932-6203 (Electronic) 1932-6203 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The Gp-9 gene in fire ants represents an important model system for studying the evolution of social organization in insects as well as a rich source of information relevant to other major evolutionary topics. An important feature of this system is that polymorphism in social organization is completely associated with allelic variation at Gp-9, such that single-queen colonies (monogyne form) include only inhabitants bearing B-like alleles while multiple-queen colonies (polygyne form) additionally include inhabitants bearing b-like alleles. A recent study of this system by Leal and Ishida (2008) made two major claims, the validity and significance of which we examine here. After reviewing existing literature, analyzing the methods and results of Leal and Ishida (2008), and generating new data from one of their study sites, we conclude that their claim that polygyny can occur in Solenopsis invicta in the U.S.A. in the absence of expression of the b-like allele Gp-9(b) is unfounded. Moreover, we argue that available information on insect OBPs (the family of proteins to which GP-9 belongs), on the evolutionary/population genetics of Gp-9, and on pheromonal/behavioral control of fire ant colony queen number fails to support their view that GP-9 plays no role in the chemosensory-mediated communication that underpins regulation of social organization. Our analyses lead us to conclude that there are no new reasons to question the existing consensus view of the Gp-9 system outlined in Gotzek and Ross (2007)"
Keywords:		"Alleles Animals Ants/*physiology Behavior, Animal Carrier Proteins/*genetics/physiology Electrophoresis Genes, Insect Genetic Variation Genetics, Population Hemolymph/metabolism Insect Proteins/*genetics/physiology Male Mississippi Phenotype Ploidies Soci;"
Notes:		"MedlineGotzek, Dietrich Ross, Kenneth G eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2009/11/07 PLoS One. 2009 Nov 6; 4(11):e7713. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007713"